Women In Crisis Fund-raiser Tries To Offset Budget Cuts * Summerfest In Palmerton Makes Money To Help Pay Bills Once Covered By Grants.

July 29, 1996|by BOB LAYLO, The Morning Call

Volunteers and staff of Women in Crisis of Carbon County spent Saturday flipping hamburgers and painting faces.

It wasn't a respite from their job.

The organization, with its funding reduced by about $25,000 because of federal cuts, needed to hold Summerfest in Palmerton Borough Park to raise a few hundred dollars to help pay salaries, cover rent and buy supplies.

"We're down to the bones," Executive Director Dorothy Kuntz said. "We're not making payments or our rent. We're barely surviving."

Social service agencies throughout the state share Women in Crisis' dilemma because of cuts in federal spending. The organization is funded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which receive money from the state Department of Public Welfare. The state receives grants from the federal government.

Women in Crisis applied for $146,000. It expects to receive $120,000, and $50,000 is for salaries of two full-time and two part-time employees.

The state hasn't reimbursed the organization for its expenses in the last three months, Kuntz said. The organization provides services, such as counseling, then asks the state for reimbursement.

The festival was organized about six weeks ago by volunteer Donna Strohl. One band, James and James, performed.

Strohl hoped the event would raise $1,000, but realized by mid morning it would make a few hundred. The festival had about 10 booths and Strohl said 10-12 vendors did not show.

Strohl said Women in Crisis will have a festival each summer and will bring in more money as it grows.

The organization, which says it helps 45 victims of domestic violence and 12 victims of sexual violence a month, had big plans for the year. It wanted to make five employees -- Kuntz, a counselor, an educator, a program director and secretary-receptionist -- full time. Kuntz and another employee are full time.

Women in Crisis also wanted to open a shelter. The group sends victims to Schuylkill County for shelter.

Instead, the counselor's hours were reduced to 20 a week, the educator furloughed, and hopes of a shelter temporarily dashed.

"All we are is antiviolence," Kuntz said. "I know how it felt when I got hit. I don't want anyone else to go through it."